Many gods of Egypt, including Thoth (God of astronomy, magic, and the judgement of the dead), Hapy (diving protectors of canopic jars), and Khonsu (a god of healing, exploration, and the moon), consider the Yellow Baboon to be a sacred animal. Such gods can grant a portion of their power into a yellow baboon, usually a large dominant male of a troop, to create a powerful agent to act on their behalf. This creature is called an Aani, and is granted gains increased intelligence, magical protection from harm, and enhanced physical abilities. One can tell an Aani from a normal yellow baboon by the size of the creature (Aani are about 50% larger), and the animal’s head. The head of a baboon that’s become an Aani is transformed into that of a dog, usually an Egyptian Hound.
Aani are often tasked with protecting sacred sites, recovering sacred objects, or punishing those who have offended these deities. Aani who complete their mission, or who are slain while attempting to do so, revert to their natural form. In rare cases, an Aani will lead a troop of baboons, numbering anywhere between fifty and two hundred and fifty individuals, whom obey its commands. In the rarest encounters a god creates multiple Aani, usually two or three, but as many as a half dozen acting together have been recorded.
Like normal baboons Aani are good climbers, fast runners, and about three times as strong as an average human, attacking with vicious bites and hurled stones. Unlike normal baboons they are intelligent enough to do things like tie knots, read and write in hieroglyphs, navigate long distances by the stars, and pilot boats along and across rivers. They can also to use weapons (favoring hurled weapons like knives and axes) or tools, usually stolen or looted from fallen opponents. Aani take half damage from non-magical weapons, but are fully effected by fire and other forms of damage (electricity, poison, cold, etc.)
Aani / Sacred Vessels of Ancient Gods
Char. Averages rolls
STR 130 (4D6+12) x 5
CON 95 (2D6+12) x 5
SIZ 80 (4D6+2) x 5
DEX 65 (2D6+6) x 5
INT 70 4D6 x 5
POW 85 3D6 x 5
HP 18
Av. Damage Bonus: 2D6
Average Build: 3
Average Magic Points: 17
Move 12 / 9 Climbing / 6 swimming
ATTACKS
Attacks per round: 1 (Bite, hurled stone, or by weapon type)
Fighting Attacks: Bite, hurled stone, or by weapon type
Fighting, Bite 60% (30 / 15), 1D6+db
Fighting, Hurled Stone 45% (23 / 11), 1D4+ ½ db (1D6)
Dodge 40% (20 / 10)
Armor: none, takes half damage from non-magical weapons.
Skills: Climb 80%, Intimidate 50%, Jump 50%, Listen 40%, Navigate 60%, Pilot Boat 25%, Spot Hidden 45%, Stealth 45%, Swim 60%, Throw 45%.
Spells: none.Sanity Loss: 0/1D4 to encounter an Aani.
